Aciclovir Highlights
- Acyclovir oral tablet is only accessible as a generic medication and it is not available as a brand name version.
- Aciclovir is available in form of capsules, tablets, Acyclovir buccal tablets, and suspension.
- Topical Aciclovir is accessible in form of ointment and cream that are for external use only.
- Aciclovir also comes as an IV (Intravenous) drug that is only used by a healthcare professional.
- Acyclovir medication is used to treat certain viral infections including genital herpes, chicken pox, cold sores, and shingles.
What is Acyclovir?
Aciclovir belongs to the class of drugs called antivirals (synthetic nucleoside analogs). Aciclovir oral is a prescription drug that comes in a generic form. Generic forms of medications generally cost cheaper than the brand-name version of the drug. Acyclovir cream or ointment can be purchased over the counter.
Usually, Aciclovir is used to treat viral infections such as herpes infections. However, it can be used as a combination therapy with other medications. Acyclovir is prescribed to treat first-time genital herpes infection and also regular outbreaks of genital herpes.
What Can Acyclovir Treat?
Aciclovir can treat certain viral infections. It is most commonly used to treat genital herpes (herpes simplex virus), cold sores, chicken pox (varicella zoster), and shingles (herpes zoster).
- Herpes simplex in the immunocompetent and immunocompromised host
- Herpes simplex encephalitis
- Herpes zoster virus
- Varicella zoster virus
- Herpes zoster prophylaxis
- Varicella zoster prophylaxis
- Herpes zoster iridocyclitis
- Herpes zoster peripheral neuropathy
- Herpes zoster meningitis
- Varicella pneumonitis
- Herpes zoster otitis externa
- Herpes simplex congenital
- Herpes zoster myelitis
- Herpes simplex labialis
- Herpes simplex – suppression
- Bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoal infections
How Does Aciclovir Help With Herpes Infections?
Acyclovir is prescribed for patients with herpes infections in order to decrease pain and boost the healing process of blisters and sores. Acyclovir is also used to prevent genital herpes outbreaks in people who are exposed to the herpes simplex virus.
Aciclovir drug works by halting the spread of the herpes simplex viruses throughout the body. Acyclovir does not kill the herpes virus o it is not a complete cure for the infections. Once you acquire the virus it remains inside your body even after taking Acyclovir.
Acyclovir reduces the ability of the herpes virus to replicate. It prevents the production and spreading of viruses inside the body.
Aciclovir is used to manage the symptoms, improve healing and prevent outbreaks. It helps with pain relief and the healing of sores. The virus resides inside your body for your life and it may get activated after a certain amount of time causing symptoms in the future.
Before Taking Acyclovir
- Tell your doctor or healthcare provider if you ever have an allergic reaction to Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, other medications, herbal products, milk proteins, or any ingredients.
- Tell your healthcare professional if you ever had or have kidney disease or a weak immune system due to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection.
- Inform your doctor if there are chances you may be dehydrated to a recent illness or any activity.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.
- If you are prescribed Acyclovir to treat genital herpes, avoid sexual contact to avoid spreading the infection to your partner until you recover completely.
Benefits Of Aciclovir
Benefits for herpes simplex infections
Aciclovir is most commonly used to treat herpes simplex infections throughout the world. It slows down the multiplication and spread of the herpes virus inside the body. It does not kill the virus and prevents transferring the infection to other people.
Acyclovir provides relief from symptoms such as pain, itching, burning, and tingling sensation. It contributes to faster healing of sores and blisters. In order to get the maximum benefits of Acyclovir stick to the instructions given on the prescription label.
Benefits for chicken Pox
Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection. Acyclovir is the most effective for chickenpox when you start taking it within 24 to 48 hours after a rash appears. Take Acyclovir as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist to get the most out of this drug.
Make sure you practice good hygiene and frequently wash your hands in order to prevent spreading chickenpox to others. Stay at home till your blisters get dried and crusted over.
Benefits for cold sores
Cold sores or herpes labialis is a viral infection that mainly appears on the lip. Typically symptoms of cold sores include small sores or blisters followed by burning pain. The first episode may be convoyed by a sore throat, fever, and puffy lymph nodes.
For cold sore treatment, your doctor or healthcare may prescribe you Acyclovir cream or Acyclovir buccal tablet in order to ease symptoms.
Aciclovir treatment speed up the healing of sores and also prevents the recurrence of cold sores. To get the best out of acyclovir buccal tablets (prescribed for cold sores) take them within 1 hour after the symptoms appear and before the cold sore appears actually.
Benefits for shingles
Shingles are also a viral infection that appears like a painful rash. Aciclovir is used to treat shingles as it can significantly shorten the severity and length of shingles. Acyclovir is most effective to treat shingles if you start taking Acyclovir promptly after the rash appears.
Maintaining good hygiene practices and maintaining a healthy immune system are the best ways to prevent the occurrence of shingles.
Benefits for genital herpes
Genital herpes is a very common sexually transmitted infection recognized by genital sores and pain. Genital herpes may appear in both women and men. Symptoms of genital herpes infection include pain, irritation, and itching.
Aciclovir treatment help effectively treats the symptoms and also prevents replication of the herpes simplex virus that causes the infection.
Benefits for immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients
The evaluation of some studies found that Acyclovir is well-tolerated and significantly effective for treating prophylaxis of oral, genital, and mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus infections in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients.
In most clinical studies, it is found that the benefits of oral Acyclovir medication exceed the possible risks by a significant margin.
How to Use Acyclovir Tablets and Acyclovir Oral Suspension
You can take Acyclovir tablets or Acyclovir suspension with or without food as suggested by your doctor or pharmacist. Swallow the whole tablet with a glass of water. Drink plenty of water while you are on Acyclovir medication to help your kidneys work well.
If you find it difficult to swallow the tablets, you can dissolve the tablets in water. Add a tablet to a glass of water, stir well, and drink it. Drink the entire glass of liquid to ensure the complete Acyclovir doses.
If you have been prescribed Acyclovir liquid, it comes with a measuring spoon or measuring device to measure your dose properly. Always shake the bottle well before use and use the medicine dose measuring device to get the right amount of drug. Do not use your kitchen spoon.
How to Use Acyclovir Cream for Cold Sores
Acyclovir cream is meant for external use only. Always wash your hands before you use the cream and after using the cream. Apply a thin layer of cream on cold sores 5 times a day. Maintain a gap of 4 hours between each usage.
Do not apply Aciclovir cream inside your eyes, mouth, or vagina. Use the cream for at least 4 to 6 days or as recommended by your healthcare professional. If your cold sores do not heal after 7 days call your doctor.
How to Use Acyclovir Cream for Genital Herpes Infection
Always wash your hands before and after applying the cream. Apply a thin layer of cream on the affected area 5 times a day maintaining a gap of 4 hours between each usage. Use this cream for at least 5 days or as suggested by your healthcare provider.
Wear comfortable and loose clothes while experiencing genital herpes and using Acyclovir cream. Avoid wearing tight clothes.
If your genital herpes sore does not heal after 5 days you can continue using the cream for another 5 days. If the affected area does not heal after using the cream for 10 days talk to your doctor for medical advice.
If You Missed The Dose
If you forgot to take the Acyclovir dose as per your dosing schedule, take it immediately as you remember. If you come to know about the missed dose when it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the next dose.
Never take 2 doses together in order to compensate for the missed dose. If you often forget to take medicines, you can set an alarm to help you remind.
If You Get an Overdose
Taking too much antiviral drug Acyclovir or overdosing can be harmful. Do not exceed your dose without your doctor’s approval. If you mistakenly get an overdose of Aciclovir, get immediate medical attention or call a local poison control center.
Things to Remember While Taking Acyclovir
- Begin with Acyclovir treatment promptly as you notice the very first symptom of infection. Acyclovir works best when you take it within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
- Usually, you begin to feel better within a few days after taking Aciclovir medicine. Do not stop taking this drug without consulting your doctor. Complete the prescribed course to prevent the recurrence of infection.
- Common side effects of this drug include feeling dizzy, headaches, and feeling sick. These are mild side effects that usually go away without any treatment.
- If acyclovir makes you feel dizzy or sick, avoid driving or doing any kind of strenuous activity until you feel better.
- If you drink alcohol, consult your doctor about the safety to consume alcohol while taking Aciclovir medication.
- If you have genital herpes infections, taking Acyclovir may not be able to prevent you from passing genital herpes to your sexual partner. So it’s better to avoid sexual contact till you recover completely to avoid spread genital herpes to your partner.
Drug Interactions
Acyclovir may interact with certain prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal products. So make sure you tell your doctor if you are using any such medicines or products.
Acyclovir drug interactions may happen with Amphotericin B, Aminoglycoside antibiotics (Amikin, Garamycin, Kantrex, Neomycin, Aspirin), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Cyclosporine), sulfonamides (Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole).
Aciclovir can also interact with medicines used to treat Human Immunodeficiency viruses or AIDS (Zidovudine, Pentamidine, Probenecid). It doesn’t include the whole list of drugs that can interact with Aciclovir. Make sure you tell your doctor about all medicines you are using.
Acyclovir and Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and you get genital herpes infections, it is extremely important to prevent herpes lesions. An untreated herpes infection can pass to your baby during vaginal delivery.
Generally, it is considered safe to use Acyclovir during pregnancy. It can be prescribed to pregnant women in necessary conditions. According to animal studies, there are no adverse effects of Acyclovir on developing babies.
However, there are limiting studies about the same so always discuss the benefits and possible risks of using this drug with your doctor. Usually, the benefits of Acuclovir outweigh the possible risks.
Acyclovir is considered safe to use while breastfeeding. Some human studies show that Acyclovir does not pass through the breast milk in a considerable amount so is not harmful to the nursing baby. However, you should always discuss this with your doctor before breastfeeding your baby.
Warning For People With Kidney Disease
People who have a history of kidney disease or existing kidney problems may not be able to clear Aciclovir from the body. It may increase the drug levels in your body and may contribute to the occurrence of side effects.
In rare cases, Acyclovir medication may impact your kidney function. That means your existing kidney condition may get worse. Acyclovir needs to be used with caution when prescribed for people with kidney diseases.
Your doctor may need to adjust the Aciclovir dosage considering how well your kidneys are working. Make sure you take your dosage exactly as written on your prescription label and drink plenty of water and liquids to make your kidneys work well.
